Columnar apple tree named &#39;Rosalie&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Malus  Mill. apple tree variety is provided which exhibits a columnar tree type, moderate growth vigor, and V f -resistance against scab. The new variety yields late maturing and ornamental fruits. The fruit color medium red and the fruit size is large relative to other ornamental apples.

BOTANICAL CLASSIFICATION

Malus Mill.

VARIETAL DENOMINATION

‘ROSALIE’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of apple tree botanically classified as Malus Mill. and known by the varietal name ‘ROSALIE’. The new variety is the result of a cross between ‘Aneta’ (female parent, unpatented) and ‘Maypole’ (male parent, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,184). The cross resulting in ‘ROSALIE’ occurred in the Spring of 1994 at 310 meters above sea level with a mean annual temperature of 7.7° C. and a mean annual precipitation of 680 mm. The purpose of the breeding program was to develop varieties of a columnar tree type with a unique appearance and resistance to scab. The new variety was discovered in 2002, with the first fruiting and flowering of the original seedling in The Czech Republic. Subsequently, the new variety was asexually reproduced at the Institute of Experimental Botany AS CR, v.v.i., Station Strizovice, 463 45 Pencin u Liberce in The Czech Republic by budding/grafting on apple rootstocks in the Spring of 2003.

The new variety is similar to ‘Aneta’ in that it exhibits the presence of V_(f)-resistance against scab. However, the new variety differs from ‘Aneta’ as ‘ROSALIE’ has a columnar tree type, reddish-purple flower color, smaller fruit size, and red-colored fruit flesh. Further, the new variety is similar to ‘Maypole’ in its columnar tree type, compact growth habit, purple color of unopened flowers, reddish-purple opened flower color, prominent petal veins, red fruit skin color, and red colored fruit flesh. However, the new variety is different from ‘Maypole’ as its petal shape is oval instead of broadly elliptic, its petal position is overlapping instead of touching, and its fruit form is broadly globose conical versus globose conical. Further, the new variety has a larger fruit size, shorter fruit stalk, exhibits the presence of V_(f)-resistance against scab, and longer fruit persistence than ‘Maypole’. The following characteristics also distinguish the new variety from other varieties known to the breeders:

-   -   Late fruit ripening, ornamental, diploid variety;     -   Columnar tree type;     -   Trees exhibit medium vigor;     -   The growth habit is compact with very short internodes;     -   Single flower type with a shallow cup form;     -   Unopened and opened flowers are reddish-purple;     -   Large fruit size relative to other ornamental apples;     -   Globose-conical fruit shape;     -   Medium red fruit color;     -   Fruit flesh color is predominantly red with some white present;     -   Long fruit persistence; and     -   V_(f)-resistance against scab.

The new variety has been trial and field tested and has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics and remain true to type through successive asexual propagations.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographic drawings illustrate the new cultivar, with the color being as nearly true as is possible with color illustrations of this type. It should be noted that colors may vary with growing conditions and time of year:

FIG. 1 is a photograph of a tree of the new variety grafted on MM 106 rootstock, showing canopy form at blossoming time;

FIG. 2 is a section of a tree of the new variety with opening and fully opened flowers;

FIG. 3 shows a close-up view of the blossoms of the new variety;

FIG. 4 shows trees of the new variety grafted on MM 26 rootstock with the fruits at picking maturity; and

FIG. 5 is a close-up view of the fruits and the fruit flesh of the new variety at picking maturity.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following detailed description sets forth the characteristics of the new cultivar. The new variety was grown under natural field conditions in The Czech Republic. The growing area is 310 m above sea level with a mean annual temperature of 7.7° C. and a mean annual precipitation of 680 mm. The following fertilizer combination was used (Kg/ha/year): 55 parts nitrogen, 25 parts phosphorous, 60 parts potassium, 55 parts calcium, and 5 parts magnesium. Color references are primarily to the R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London and were identified under natural light.

-   Tree:     -   -   Age.—6 years from the year of budding on seedling rootstock.         -   Size.—2.8 m high, 0.4 m wide.         -   Vigor.—Average.         -   Density.—Thick.         -   Form.—Erect and compact; substantially free of side             branches.         -   Production.—Very precocious.         -   Growth type.—Columnar.         -   Bearing.—Mainly on spurs.         -   Trunk.—Size: Approximately 5.5 cm in diameter at 30 cm from             the soil line. Surface texture: Smooth to slightly rough.             Bark color: 200B. Lenticels (50 cm above ground): Length: 2             mm to 5 mm. Width: 1 mm. Color: 165C. Density: Approximately             5 to 7 lenticels per 1 cm².         -   Branches.—Overall description: A conventional branching             system along the tree trunk is lacking. Surface texture:             Smooth to slightly rough. Color: Between 200A to 200B. Form:             Straight. Average crotch angle: About 30 degrees. Bud             arrangement: Alternate at intervals from 1.5 cm to 2.5 cm.             Lenticels: Length: 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm. Width: 0.5 mm. Shape:             Round to oval. Density: Dense, with 8 to 12 lenticels per 1             cm². Color: 161C.         -   Leaves.—Length: About 90 mm to about 106 mm, averaging             99 mm. Width: About 65 mm to about 80 mm, averaging about             74 mm. Form: Rounded to oval. Texture: Smooth. Thickness:             Moderately thick. Base: Predominantly symmetric. Apex:             Acute; mostly straight. Margin: Biserrate. Pubescence: Upper             surface: None present. Lower surface: Very little. Color:             Young leaves: Upper surface: 187A. Lower surface: 187B.             Mature leaves: Upper surface: 139A. Lower surface: 146B.             Petiole: Shape: Straight with thickening at the base.             Length: About 25 mm to about 49 mm, averaging about 35 mm.             Diameter: About 2.0 mm to 3.0 mm in the middle. Color: 187A             to 187B. Veins: Venation type: Net-like, medium dense.             Color: Upper surface: 187B. Lower surface: 187D.         -   Flower buds.—Pedicel: Length: Typically in the range of 16             to 20 mm, with an average of about 20 mm. Diameter: 13 mm on             average. Color: Predominantly 184A. Bud: Length: 17.5 mm on             average. Width: 14 mm on average. Color: 60B.         -   Flowers.—Bloom timing: Medium. Blooming period: Medium.             Pollination requirements: Self-sterile, needs pollinators.             Number of flowers per cluster: 6. Fragrance: Faint. Petals:             Number: 5. Length: 28 mm on average +/−2 mm. Width: 20 mm on             average +/−2 mm. Shape: Ovate. Aspect: Positioned             overlapping. Margin: Entire. Texture and appearance: Soft             and smooth. Color: When opening: Upper surface: 63A. Lower             surface: 63B. Fully opened: Upper surface: 63B. Lower             surface: 63B to 63C. Sepals: Shape: Elongated and conical;             pointed. Margin: Entire. Texture: Fine pubescence present.             Length: 7 mm to 9 mm from the union. Width: 4 mm to 5 mm at             the base, 3 mm in the middle. Color: Upper surface: 144B             with an apex of 59A. Lower surface: 59B in the midddle with             an apex of 59A. Stamens: Number (per flower): 19 to 20.             Filament length: 6 mm to 9 mm. Anthers: Shape: Oval. Length:             2 mm to 3 mm. Color: 24D. Pollen: Color: 12B. Amount             (generally): Medium to high. Pistils: Length: 12 mm on             average. Style: Length: 7 mm to 8 mm on average. Color: 54C.             Stigma: Shape: Rounded. Color: 51D.         -   Fruit.—Maturity when described: After 1 month from picking             and in common storage. Date of picking: Oct. 20, 2011. Size:             Axial diameter: About 50 mm. Transverse diameter: About             55 mm. Form: Broadly globose-conical. Cavity: Shape:             Funnel-shaped and free of russet. Depth: Average of 13 mm.             Breadth: Average of 55 mm. Basin: Shape: Saucer-shaped.             Depth: Average of 5 mm. Width: Average of 20 mm. Calyx:             Persistent with erect lobes.         -   Skin.—Thickness: Medium. Texture: Smooth, free of russet.             Tendency to crack: Absent. Color: 46C to 53A. Ground color:             153D is the closest.         -   Flesh.—Aroma: Weak, like an ornamental apple. Color: Partly             51A and partly 158D. Texture: Fine grained and soft. Eating             quality: Not applicable.         -   Core.—Bundle area: On longitudinal section — onion-shaped;             on cross-section — core locules are closed or slightly open.             Bundle: Vascular strands weakly distinct. Calyx tube: Short.             Styles: Persistent as dry residues, closed with calyx lobes.             Stamens: Persistent as dry residues, closed with calyx             lobes. Seed cells: Wall: Smooth. Depth: 12 mm. Breadth: 5 mm             at cross-section. Longitudinal section: About 13 mm (length             of seed cell).         -   Seeds.—Number perfect: 8. Number in one cell: 1 to 2.             Length: 10 mm. Breadth: 5 mm. Form: Flattened and pyramidal             with an acute tip. Color: 177A.         -   Stem.—Length: Average of 20 mm. Width: 1.5 mm to 2 mm.             Color: 59A.         -   Use.—As an ornamental variety.         -   Shipping quality.—Not tested.         -   Keeping quality.—Not tested.         -   Tree winter hardiness.—No frost damage observed at the place             of origin, lowest winter temperatures approximately −20° C.         -   Bud winter hardiness.—No frost damage observed at the place             of origin, lowest winter temperatures approximately −20° C.         -   Drought tolerance.—Not tested.         -   Disease resistance.—V_(f)-resistance against scab; mildew             tolerance observed.         -   Pest resistance/susceptibility.—No sensitivities observed.         -   Multiplication ability.—Layering: Not applicable,             multiplication is only by budding/grafting. Hardwood             cuttings: On vegetatively propagated rootstocks. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Malus Mill. apple tree substantially as is herein described and illustrated. 